Dubai (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 4, 2026 – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with numerous heads of state, government leaders, and delegations on Wednesday during the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai. The summit, themed “Shaping Future Governments,” facilitates discussions on global governance and development priorities. These engagements emphasise bilateral cooperation and shared aspirations.
The event, running from February 3 to 5 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, marks the largest edition in its history with over 6,000 participants from more than 150 countries. Sheikh Mohamed's meetings occurred on the sidelines of the second day, focusing on productive partnerships.
Key Bilateral Meetings with World Leaders
Sheikh Mohamed held separate meetings with several prominent figures. Economy Middle East reported on these encounters, detailing specific discussions held on Wednesday.
Economy Middle East - @Economy_ME said in X post,
“UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on Wednesday with several heads of state, government leaders, and delegations attending the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai, held under the theme “Shaping Future Governments.” During the summit, His Highness held separate meetings with Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia, and Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Latvia.”
The meeting with North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova addressed mutual interests in economic and technological cooperation. Discussions with Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Siliņa covered trade enhancement and regional stability initiatives.
ARN News Centre provided further insight into the UAE President's agenda, highlighting partnership goals.
ARN News Centre - @ARNNewsCentre said in X post,
“H.H. Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed met heads of state, government leaders and delegations at @WorldGovSummit in Dubai to discuss building productive partnerships that advance development priorities and serve the aspirations of their people.”
Additional confirmed attendees include King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, Guy Parmelin of Switzerland, Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, Alar Karis of Estonia, Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait. Heads of government such as Pedro Sánchez of Spain, Edi Rama of Albania, Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt, and others participated, expanding the scope of dialogues.
Sheikh Mohamed's schedule featured over 20 such bilateral sessions, each lasting around 30 minutes. Official statements from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed priorities in security, prosperity, and follow-up mechanisms.
Summit Discussions on Global Priorities
The summit's agenda includes 24 global forums, 35 high-level sessions, and over 320 interactive discussions with more than 450 speakers. Topics encompass governance, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, economic prosperity, urban futures, and emerging technologies.
Sheikh Mohamed inaugurated the event, calling for innovative governance models in his opening address. Panels addressed ethical AI frameworks, climate mitigation, and post-pandemic economic resilience. Engagements with UN officials and G20 representatives focused on Sustainable Development Goals and supply chain stabilisation.
Sustainable development and green energy transitions featured in talks with European and Scandinavian leaders. Partnerships for green hydrogen and water scarcity projects received UAE pledges.
Participation and Event Scale
Over 35 heads of state, 150 government delegations, and 500 ministers attend, alongside CEOs, experts, and representatives from the IMF, OECD, World Bank, and OPEC Fund. More than 100 international organisations and private sector entities from aviation, technology, and finance participate.
The summit precedes the World Laureates Summit on February 1-2, featuring Nobel and other award recipients discussing scientific solutions. Awards presented include the Best Minister Award, Most Reformed Government Global Award, and Global Teacher Prize.
Dubai's hosting under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum positions the UAE as a global knowledge hub. Security and infrastructure support the large-scale gathering.
Background and Historical Context
Established in 2013, the World Governments Summit has evolved into a key forum for policy innovation. Previous editions, such as 2025, drew over 6,000 participants and 30 heads of state under the same theme.
The 2026 edition solidifies its role with record participation, fostering public-private partnerships across 70 strategic partners. Strategic reports and ministerial roundtables inform national policies.
Outcomes from these meetings contribute to multilateral frameworks and upcoming international assemblies. The event concludes with a communique on key takeaways.